Other Names:  Elkhorn Fern

Description:

An evergreen, epiphytic fern with distinctive fronds that resemble the forked antlers of a stag; leathery, medium-green fronds grow outward from the crown; water crowns regularly and do not allow to dry out; great for baskets or containers

Ornamental Features

Netherlands Staghorn Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. Its attractive large deeply cut lobed leaves emerge light green in spring, turning green in color with hints of silver the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Netherlands Staghorn Fern is an herbaceous annual with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Netherlands Staghorn Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Netherlands Staghorn Fern will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this slow-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Netherlands Staghorn Fern is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.